Can Cats Sense Pregnancy?

There could be a reason they seem to be a little more obsessed with you than usual

by Janelle Leeson | expert review by LeeAnna Buis, CFTBS, FFCP

5 March 2024

Ever peek at your cat kneading your pregnant belly and wonder if they’re on to your little secret? My own stage-five clinger started doing that at around week six of pregnancy. But is it intuition or simply a bigger kneading board? Can cats sense human pregnancy? Time to consult the experts.

Do cats sense pregnancy?

Many pet parents swear their cats can sense their pregnancy, but there’s not really any scientific proof. Yet, veterinarians and behaviourists I spoke to speculate that a cat’s keen sense of smell might detect slight differences in body odour due to pregnancy hormones.

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“Pregnant individuals may experience changes in scent, body language or emotional state, and cats can respond to these subtle cues,” says Dr Nicole Savageau, a veterinarian at the mobile veterinary service The Vets.

But the biggest indication of pregnancy cats will pick up on? The changes in routine and configuration of their household.

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How early can a cat sense pregnancy?

Don’t rely on your cat to tell you whether you’re pregnant or not. But their remarkable sense of smell (about 14 times stronger than ours) might mean your cat can sniff out changes associated with early pregnancy, says veterinarian Dr Preston Turano.

Alexandra Low, a labour and delivery nurse and a member of The National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health (NPWH), says expecting parents can experience hormonal changes as early as six days following ovulation. Whether your cat reacts to your changing body at six days pregnant, six weeks pregnant, or at all depends largely on their individual personality.

Can cats sense pregnancy hormones?

Some trained therapy dogs detect and react to the smell of certain health conditions. While a cat’s sense of smell isn’t as precise as a dog’s (and they’re not typically taught to fetch medications), a few studies suggest cats can also smell some medical conditions.

When it comes to pregnancy, “cats’ ability to detect subtle hormonal changes in humans remains uncertain”, says Dr Savageau.

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Can cats sense hormonal changes?

Low says the body starts changing just six to 10 days following ovulation. This is due to a rise in human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) – the hormone detected by pregnancy tests – as well as increases in progesterone and estrogen, which you can thank for early pregnancy bloating.

Due to these hormones, you and your cat might also notice the following.

Changing body odour

As hormones spike, you may sweat more than usual causing a slight change in body odour. Low adds that vaginal secretions also change, with the pH increasing to help fight infections.

Shifts in behaviour and mood

Other side effects that come with surges of pregnancy hormones include nausea (aka morning sickness) and mood swings. If your cat is one to offer comfort when you’re feeling sick or down, chances are they’ll react similarly during your first trimester. Likewise, if you’re feeling irritable, your cat might choose to keep their distance.

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Ways cats may react to your pregnancy

During times of change, like pregnancy or welcoming a baby, you might see an exaggeration of your cat's usual personality traits. As LeeAnna Buis, a certified feline training and behaviour consultant, says, “Cats are all unique little furballs and their individual personalities will dictate how they react, or if they react at all.”

Experts we spoke to expect any or none of the following behaviours.

Anxious/sensitive cats:

overgrooming
pooing or peeing outside the litter box
decreased appetite
rubbing on you or household objects

Protective cats:

follow you everywhere
lap sitting
heightened vigilance

Affectionate cats:

kneading
purring
lap sitting

Attention-seeking cats:

heightened desire for play and affection

Independent cats:

indifference to the changes
avoidance

Dr Savageau says some cats like to knead or ‘make biscuits’ right on their parent’s bump. While Low assures affectionate biscuits aren’t likely to cause the baby harm, she confirms that the cat-prone infection toxoplasmosis is real and that pregnant people should avoid the litter box.

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Why do cats react to pregnancy?

Cats can’t grasp the concept of pregnancy itself. Rather, Dr Turano says cats react to pregnancy because they’re creatures of habit. They often notice rearranged furniture, new household items, changes in daily routines, unfamiliar smells and even shifts in their humans’ behaviour.

If you’re concerned about your cat’s adjustment to a new little one, try to maintain a calm and consistent environment as much as possible. Introduce changes like setting up a nursery gradually, and even play recordings of baby sounds alongside positive reinforcement like treats or playtime. This will help your cat slowly adjust to the new sights, sounds and routines that come with a newborn.

Frequently asked questions

Can male cats sense pregnancy?

According to Dr Savageau, neither gender nor breed affects a cat’s likelihood of sensing pregnancy. Instead, individual temperament, past experiences and their bond with their human influence how a cat reacts to pregnancy.

Can cats sense early pregnancy in humans?

There’s no scientific evidence to support that cats can sense early pregnancy in humans, but anecdotal reports from pet parents suggest noticeable behavioural changes in their cats. These changes are likely influenced by changes in body odour, routines or behaviour of the pregnant person rather than the detection of pregnancy itself.

Do cats get clingy when you’re pregnant?

Some pregnant people report their cats becoming clingy, while others say their cats were indifferent or even became territorial. Ultimately, how your cat reacts to human pregnancy will be based on their personality and temperament.

Can my cat hear my baby’s heartbeat?

Low says a baby’s heartbeat is audible to a human with the help of a transvaginal ultrasound (five to six weeks), foetal doppler (10 to 12 weeks), or a fetoscope (16 weeks and greater). The jury’s split on whether cats can hear a baby’s heartbeat in the later stages of pregnancy – Dr Savageau leans towards the unlikely side, while Dr Turano says there’s a possibility that cats can hear a faint heartbeat if they’re lying on your stomach.

Janelle Leeson

Janelle Leeson is a Portland, Oregon-based freelance writer. Her work has been featured in magazines such as Inside Your Dog’s Mind, Inside Your Cat’s Mind, and Paw Print, as well online at Insider Reviews, NBC Select, Shop Today, PetMD, and Daily Paws. She has two adventure cats, a flock of urban chickens, and a soon-to-be-husband who doesn’t mind housing the occasional foster cat — or five.

Can Cats Sense Pregnancy?

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